教えてあげる
oshiete ageru
In Japanese, "I will teach you" is expressed as 教えてあげる (oshiete ageru).
This phrase is used to offer to show someone how to do something or to provide them with information.
Which one should you use?
While 教えてあげる is the default, you can use 教えてあげます for standard social interactions with acquaintances and お教えします for a formal version. In the Kansai dialect, you might hear おしえまっせ used instead of the formal お教えします.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
教えてあげる is informal and should be used with friends, family or people of lower social status. For a polite level appropriate for acquaintances, use 教えてあげます. The most formal version is お教えします.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai dialect, people might say おしえまっせ instead of the formal お教えします.
How do you pronounce it?
oshiete ageru
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 教えてあげる toward superiors, such as a boss or teacher. The nuance of "doing a favor" contained in this phrase can sound condescending within a formal hierarchy.
Did you know?
- The formal version お教えします utilizes 'kenjougo', a specific type of humble language designed to lower the speaker's own social standing to elevate the listener.
- To avoid the potential arrogance of 教えてあげる, professionals often use the word 共有します, which means 'I will share'. This removes the hierarchy of teacher and student entirely.
- Because 教えてあげる implies a favor, it can be perceived as an act of kindness or mentorship when spoken by a boss to a subordinate, despite being rude in the opposite direction.
Examples in context
- オレがお教（おし）えるよ。I'll help you learn.
- もっといいやり方を教えてあげる。motto ii yarikata o oshiete ageru.I will teach you a better way to do it.
- 使いかたを教えてあげるね。tsukaikata o oshiete ageru ne.I will teach you how to use it.
- 正しい言葉を教えてあげる。tadashii kotoba o oshiete ageru.I will teach you the correct words.
Example conversation
Kenta is struggling with a new smartphone app, and Yui offers her help.
- 結衣 Yui使いかた、教えてあげるよ。tsukaikata, oshiete ageru yo.I will teach you how to use it.
- 健太 Kenta本当に？ありがとう、結衣さん。hontou ni? arigatou, Yui-san.Really? Thank you, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui全然難しくないから大丈夫。zenzen muzukashikunai kara daijoubu.It is not difficult at all, so it is okay.
- 健太 Kenta助かるよ。よろしくね。tasukaru yo. yoroshiku ne.That helps. I'm counting on you.
